Is it worth getting vaccinated against polio: the opinion of Dr. Komarovsky

Doctor's opinion

Evgeniy Komarovsky is a well-known pediatrician and advocates compulsory vaccination of children against polio. Komarovsky notes that today the polio vaccine is the only highly effective remedy that can reduce the likelihood of a disease in a small child to a minimum.

The pediatrician also emphasizes that this vaccination has virtually no health-hazardous consequences and its feasibility cannot be overestimated. All the consequences of introducing a vaccine into the body are justified by its properties. Poliomyelitis can have many negative consequences, which will certainly affect the child’s health.

Evgeny Komarovsky notes that the signs of pathology can be the same as those of any viral disease. And within two weeks, symptoms may not appear at all. After a certain time, polio will affect the condition of the gastrointestinal tract, nasopharynx, and esophagus. Damage to the mucous membrane occurs quite quickly. Also, diseases can lead to the development of bleeding of the digestive system, promote the formation of ulcers or erosion of the walls of the stomach and intestines. Pneumonia and other pathologies are common.

Dr. Komarovsky says that a small child does not yet have an established immune system, and his body is not yet able to resist serious viral infections. This is why there are vaccinations that allow you to develop antibodies to a certain type of harmful bacteria.

The only way to protect yourself from polio disease is to get vaccinated, since other drugs and medicines during the treatment process cannot have the desired effect. They usually provide temporary relief of associated symptoms.

Since most parents have many concerns about polio vaccination, Evgeniy Komarovsky explained the principle of its action. First of all, he asked to pay attention to the fact that such an inactive vaccination against this disease is not aimed at infecting the child with bacteria.

Since the virus is very dangerous and can cause damage to the spinal cord of a growing child, introducing bacteria into a fragile body is a very dangerous method of preventing pathology. For this reason, a different principle and approach is needed in preventing the initiation of the organism.

Komarovsky strongly recommends that all children be vaccinated against polio without fail, despite some of its negative properties. The drugs themselves already have two methods of vaccination: inactivated and oral (injection and drops). Each of these methods is considered safe enough to be used to prevent pathology.

The pediatrician believes that introducing an inactivated vaccine (injection) into the child’s blood is the most effective way. However, the oral method (taking drops) is simpler, but with a slightly reduced effect. Typically, the latter method is used for very young children, and also when it is impossible to administer the vaccine directly under the skin.

Dr. Komarovsky has recommendations and opinions regarding the introduction of the polio vaccine. First of all, he notes that the inactivated vaccine itself is practically unable to infect a baby with poliovirus. The likelihood of developing symptoms of the disease after vaccination is less than 0.01%.

The vaccination should be done under the supervision of a doctor, adhering to all his recommendations and clear instructions. This is due to the fact that vaccination takes place at certain intervals, which must be strictly adhered to. Failure to comply with deadlines may result in certain complications for the child. Also, the effectiveness of the administered drug will be reduced if one or several of them are missed.

Dr. Komarovsky insists that you cannot independently change the timing of your child’s vaccination. This must be taken seriously, carefully following all the doctor’s instructions. Otherwise, you can harm the baby. Also, you should not refuse vaccination due to unfounded fears. Parents should understand that the effectiveness of the vaccine is more important than the temporary inconvenience of side effects of the drug.

Another point that is one of the most important when vaccinating children is contraindications. Typically, doctors must check the child's reaction to certain components of the drug to eliminate the possibility of harm to his health. However, parents should also monitor this situation. Before vaccination drops or injections are used, a preliminary examination by an immunologist is necessary.

Typically, such precautions are necessary for those children who have chronic diseases. However, upon examination, the doctor may notice some mild signs and promptly prescribe disease prevention. If the doctor sees no reason to refuse vaccination, then he gives permission to administer the drug.

Komarovsky also draws attention to the fact that it is impossible to give an injection while taking antibiotics. Two weeks after completion of treatment, you can begin a course of vaccination for your child. If, after the first injection, the baby develops allergic signs, then you should definitely consult a doctor for examination (allergist or immunologist). They must determine the degree of danger of taking such a drug.

Polio

Credits : World Health Organization

Newsletter N°114 October 2014

Key Facts

• Polio mainly affects children under 5 years of age.
• One in 200 cases of infection results in permanent paralysis (usually of the legs). 5-10% of such paralyzed people die due to the onset of paralysis of the respiratory muscles.
• Since 1988, the number of polio cases has decreased by more than 99%, from an estimated 350,000 cases to 406 cases reported in 2013. This decrease was the result of global efforts to eradicate the disease.
• In 2014, only three countries (Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan) in the world remain endemic for polio, while in 1988 the number of such countries exceeded 125.
• As long as there is at least one infected child in the world, children in all countries are at risk of contracting polio. Failure to eradicate polio from these remaining persistent foci could result in up to 200,000 new cases of the disease occurring annually worldwide within 10 years.
• In most countries, global efforts have expanded their capacity to control other infectious diseases by establishing effective surveillance and immunization systems.

Poliomyelitis and its symptoms

Poliomyelitis is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus. It affects the nervous system and can lead to general paralysis in a matter of hours. The virus is transmitted from person to person, mainly through the fecal-oral route or, less commonly, through some common carrier of infection (for example, contaminated water or food) and multiplies in the intestines. The first symptoms are fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, neck stiffness and pain in the limbs. One in 200 cases of infection results in permanent paralysis (usually of the legs). 5-10% of such paralyzed people die due to the onset of paralysis of the respiratory muscles.

People most at risk

Polio mainly affects children under 5 years of age.

Prevention

Poliomyelitis is incurable, it can only be prevented. When given repeatedly, the polio vaccine can protect a child for life.

Global number of cases

Since 1988, the number of polio cases has decreased by more than 99%. From an estimated 350,000 cases in more than 125 endemic countries to 410 cases reported in 2013. This number includes only 160 cases in endemic countries; the difference is due to the international spread of the disease from endemic areas to polio-free areas. In 2014, only certain territories of 3 countries of the world remain endemic for this disease, with the minimum area in history. Of the 3 strains of wild poliovirus (type 1, type 2 and type 3), wild poliovirus type 2 was eradicated in 1999, and the number of cases of wild poliovirus type 3 has dropped to its lowest level in history—no cases in Nigeria since November 2012. new cases of the disease were registered.

Global Polio Eradication Initiative

Creation of an initiative

In 1988, at the 41st World Health Assembly, a resolution was adopted to eradicate polio from the world. This marked the beginning of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), led by national governments, WHO, Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and UNICEF and supported by key partners including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This followed the certification of smallpox eradication in 1980, progress made throughout the 1980s. to eradicate poliovirus in America, and Rotary International's commitment to mobilize funds to protect all children from the disease.

Progress

Overall, since the establishment of the GPEI, the number of cases has decreased by more than 99%. In 2014, only 3 countries in the world - Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan - remain endemic for polio.

In 1994, the WHO Region of the Americas was certified polio-free. This was followed in 2000 by the WHO Western Pacific Region and in June 2002 by the WHO European Region.

On 27 March 2014, the WHO South-East Asia Region was certified polio-free, i.e. In this group of countries from Indonesia to India, transmission of wild poliovirus has been stopped. This achievement marks a major step forward in global eradication—80% of the world's population now lives in certified polio-free regions.

Transmission of wild poliovirus type 2—one of the 3 types of wild poliovirus (type 1, type 2 and type 3)—has been successfully stopped since 1999.

To date, 10 million people have been saved from paralysis. It is estimated that more than 1.5 million child deaths have been prevented by systematically providing vitamin A to children during polio immunization efforts.

Opportunities and risks: an emergency approach

Polio eradication strategies are effective if fully implemented. This is clearly seen in India, which successfully stopped polio in January 2011 under perhaps the most technically challenging conditions, and in March 2014 the entire WHO South-East Asia Region was certified polio-free.

But failure to implement strategic approaches results in continued transmission of the virus. Endemic transmission of the virus continues in Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Failure to stop the spread of polio in these remaining areas could result in as many as 200,000 new cases occurring each year worldwide within 10 years.

Recognizing both the epidemiological opportunity and the significant risks of potential failure, a new Strategic Plan for Polio Eradication and Endgame, 2013–2018, was developed in consultation with polio-affected countries, stakeholders, donors, partners, and national and international advisory bodies. .

The new Plan was presented at the Global Vaccine Summit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in late April 2013. This is the first plan to simultaneously eliminate all types of disease caused by both wild poliovirus and vaccine-derived polioviruses.

World leaders and individual philanthropic organizations have expressed their confidence in the plan, pledging to provide three-quarters of the $5.5 billion projected cost of the plan over the next six years. They also called on other donors to provide the missing US$1.5 billion needed to achieve a polio-free world.

Future Benefits of Polio Eradication

With the eradication of polio, humanity will celebrate a significant global public good that will benefit equally to all people, no matter where they live. Economic modeling has shown that eradicating polio would save at least US$40–50 billion over the next 20 years, mostly in low-income countries. And, most importantly, success will mean that no child will ever again suffer the terrible lifelong consequences of paralysis caused by polio.

Source

published 01/04/2014 11:13 updated 11/11/2014 — Vaccination, Infectious diseases, Vaccination, Infectious diseases, WHO materials

Benefits of vaccination

Evgeny Komarovsky notes the most important property of the polio vaccine. Once a child is vaccinated, it is virtually impossible for a child to become infected with poliovirus. The probability may be less than 0.5%. Regardless of what type of vaccination is used (injection or drops), they stimulate the synthesis of interferon in the human body. Interferon is a remedy against many viruses.

This vaccination also helps strengthen the body to fight the pathogens of influenza and other respiratory diseases. Statistically speaking, complications do not occur often. With each new administration of the drug (three times), the likelihood of their detection decreases. Since the consequences of polio can be very dangerous and sometimes lead to death, the benefits of this vaccination are of great importance.

Komarovsky about the problems of vaccination against polio

In order for the vaccination result to be good, parents need to pay attention to a number of aspects related to the polio vaccine. Komarovsky highlights such negative aspects that should be taken into account in this case.

1. The presence of chronic diseases may become an obstacle to vaccination. If parents know that their child is suffering from some kind of protracted illness, then first of all it is necessary to consult an immunologist. He will be able to find out that it is better to wait with the polio vaccine for now.
2. You cannot combine the polio vaccine with taking certain antibiotics. Komarovsky says that vaccination is not possible if the child is given drugs such as Neomycin, Streptomycin and Kanamycin. They are incompatible with the vaccine.
3. The first polio vaccine is given at 3 months. If there are no side effects after it, you can proceed with further vaccination. But if an allergic reaction or other negative consequences occurs, the further development of immunity to polio should be monitored by a doctor.

It is now clear that Komarovsky, although he recognizes the polio vaccine as a very successful solution for protecting a child, still cannot call it ideal. Each case requires an individual approach and very careful attention from both parents and doctors. There is no risk in this situation.

Post published: 08/04/2016

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Disadvantages of vaccination

Evgeny Komarovsky believes that this type of vaccination has its drawbacks, which usually result in complications. Often complications arise for certain reasons:

• the natural reaction of the child’s immune system to the introduction of a substance into the body;
• mutation of various viruses along with the components of the drug;
• allergic sensitivity of the baby’s body to certain components;
• HIV disease;
• birth defects and abnormalities in the development of internal organs;
• psychological disorders;
• respiratory diseases and groups during drug administration;
• congenital reduced immunity;
• individual characteristics of a young organism.

Among the side effects that occur after an injection or taking drops with the vaccine, you can find a sharp jump in body temperature. The temperature can rise to 38-39 degrees in a short period of time. The child may also experience a temporary decrease in activity, lethargy and drowsiness.

Swelling of the mucous membrane of the respiratory organs is much less common. In this regard, children may experience suffocation, decreased blood pressure, and oxygen starvation. In this case, you need to consult a doctor. He may prescribe a drug that relieves swelling and inflammation. If the symptoms appear acutely, then you need to call an ambulance.

Sometimes temporary limb spasms or brief reflexes can be observed. The most common symptoms after an injection are a profuse rash on the body (similar to hives), which is very itchy. Your doctor may recommend a soothing cream or ointment to relieve itching and prevent skin irritation.

If the baby had congenital problems with the immune system, then there is a risk of acquiring vaccine-associated polio. At the first sign of it, the child will need urgent hospitalization.

Is it worth doing?

To answer this question, it is necessary to note that in different countries the frequency of the disease is quite different. In civilized countries of the West and America, polio disease is rare, since the virus has been practically defeated. This was also influenced by mass vaccination of the population. However, outbreaks of this disease regularly occur in the countries of the Far East and Africa.

If you do not get vaccinated in a timely manner, at an early age, then there is a risk of acquiring pathology, since carriers of the virus often come to Europe. Thus, in a short period of time, an epidemic could arise in countries where polio is now practically absent.

Today, in the CIS countries, vaccination against polio is considered mandatory. Cases of infection of children by unvaccinated children in kindergartens and schools have been recorded. Vaccination should be done if the immunologist does not find compelling reasons to refrain from administering the drug. Usually, an appropriate decision needs to be made for each baby.

The doctor should also take into account contraindications for injections with the drug or oral drops. For chronic diseases, vaccination is permissible only at the stage of stable remission. This also applies to seasonal allergies and asthma. An injection or use of the drug in the form of drops is contraindicated if a person has tumors of oncological origin or polyps in the gastrointestinal tract. Also, the drug should not be administered if you are using medications that temporarily enhance immunity.